The featured Gr. II Masters Grand National du Trot Finale (purse €150,000, 2850 meters, 16 starters) went to 1.13.4kr timed and 0.5/1 favored Aubrion du Gers (6g Memphis du Rib-J’Arrive du Gers). Owner/trainer/driver Jean-Michel Bazire was the pilot. 41/1 Bahia Quesnot (5f Scipion du Goutier-Queen Ines) took second for Mathieu Abrivard and 12/1 Bolide Jenilou (5g Kesaco Phedo-Melodie Jenilou) was third for Anthony Barrier. Alienor de Godrel and Al Capone Jet were fourth and fifth with Swedishman and Val Royal next to the line.
The Prix de l’Eure (purse €54,000, 2850 meters, 15 European starters) went to 1.15.6kr timed and 2.2/1 Shiraz Brodde (7g Love You-Stephanie Brodda). Christophe Martens reined the winner for owner Olof Brodin AB (Sweden) and trainer Vincent Martens. 4.7/1 King Of The World (7m Magnificent Rodney-Queen Of Hearts) was second for Bjorn Goop, teamster for William Nimczyk and owner Johann Lenz. 72/1 Okay dei Ronchi (8g From Above-Faboui’of Brown) was third.
The last of the LeTrot Open du Regions was for four year-olds vying over 2850 meters for a purse of €85,000. The field of 12 ended with victory for 8.7/1 Callijo Delbi (4g Rieussec-Joliette de Marvez) timed in 1.14.6kr. Franck Nivard was the pilot for owner/trainer H.N. Bihel. 12/1 Capitaine France (4g Modern Jazz-Quanta Rosa Sun) took second for owner/trainer/driver William Bigeon, and third was the 3/2 favorite and Gabriel Gelormini reined Cantin de L’éclair (4g Jet Fortuna-Nice Joyeuse).
The first of the LeTrot Open des Regions was a Gr. III event for three year-olds for a purse €85,000. 16 entrants battled over 2850 meters with the 1.14.8kr timed winner being 5.6/1 Dream de Nilrem (3g Jet Fortuna-Naomi de Chamant). Eric Raffin teamed the Frederic Prat trainee. 1.6/1 Doberman (3m Prodigious-Quietude Mesloise) was second for trainer/driver Franck Nivard. Third went to 8.8/1 Dream Life (3f Royal Dream-Union Of My Life) with breeder Jean-Philippe Dubois driving. Philippe Moulin trains for Ecurie Victoria Dream.
Five year-olds competed in the Gr. III LeTrot Open des Regions, also over 2850 meters for an €85,000 purse. 16 starters lined up and 30/1 Banjo de la Noemie (5g Planbeau des Pins-Prima de la Noemie) emerged victorious for Mathieu Mottier timed in 1.14kr. 3/2 favorite Bakchich (5g Quopeck-Paix de Villeneuve) was placed second, driven by Tony LeBeller, after Black Jack From was disqualified. 36/1 Best du Hauty was third ahead of 31/1 Berry Felin.
Clara du Pontseuil Wins Monte Gr. II Prix Philippe du Rozier at Vincennes
Today’s opener, the Gr. II Prix Philippe du Rozeir (monte, purse €120,000, 2175 meters, 11 starters), went to 16/1 Clara du Pontseuil (4f Mich Phili-Osaka d’Occagnes) with Anthony Barrier in the irons. This pair were up in the final strides timed in 1.13.5kr (off even fractions 1.13.9kr at 1500 to go; 1.12.7kr at the 1000; 1.13.5kr at 500 remaining) ahead of 5.7/1 Cyprien cdes Bordes (4m Ouragon de Cellard-Perle des Bordes) with J.L.Cl, Dersoir up for legendary trainer Joel Halais and Ecurie Rib. The 0.5/1 favorite Canadien d’Em (4m Ready Cash-Kanada) was third for Mathieu Mottier and trainer Franck Leblanc.
The Masters Grand National des Amateurs (purse €17,000, 2850 meters, 14 starters) went to 1.16.9kr timed and 2.1/1 favorite Tenor du Passage (9g Gazouilis-Glynis Vandrin) with Mickael GillesLemarchand up for trainer St. Provoost and Ecurie Danover. The winning amateur pilot now has 23 wins in 2016 from 136 starts and 33 career victories
Thomas H. Hicks